MIDDLETOWN, Pa. — Penn State Harrisburg's School of Humanities will host 2024-25 Penn State Laureate Michele Dunleavy for a performance titled “Improvising a Life” on Feb. 3.
Michele Dunleavy, professor of dance in Penn State’s School of Theatre, has been named the University Laureate for the 2024-25 academic year. Known for her innovative choreography and dedication to inclusive dance education, she has been a vital part of Penn State’s acclaimed musical theater program since 2004.
Dunleavy will perform at 11:30 a.m. Feb. 3 in the Mukund S. Kulkarni Theatre. “Improvising a Life: How ‘Yes and’ Shaped my Artistic Journey and Defined my Career” will include live and recorded performance, storytelling, and the potential for audience participation and a Q&A. After her performance, she will visit two dance appreciation classes.
The Penn State Laureate, an honor established in 2008, is bestowed annually on a full-time faculty member in the arts or humanities. The laureate dedicates half of their time during the academic year to enhancing the University's visibility in the arts and humanities, showcasing their work, and engaging with various communities across Pennsylvania.
Dunleavy’s work spans tap, jazz and modern dance, with performances and choreography that have captivated audiences from Chicago to New York City and beyond. Her contributions to the art form extend into her pedagogical practices, where she has seamlessly integrated her professional experiences into the classroom, offering students unparalleled opportunities to learn from a working artist at the top of her field.
One of Dunleavy’s hallmark projects, “Steel Valley Rhythms,” explores the intertwining narratives of place, memory, and the physical embodiment of generations of Pennsylvania iron and steelworkers through percussive dance. Her commitment to exploring social themes through dance is also evident in her collaborative efforts with Krista Wilkinson, distinguished professor of communication sciences and disorders in the College of Health and Human Development, with whom she has developed innovative programs that leverage the performing arts to support communication and social skills in individuals with and without disabilities.
Dunleavy’s tenure as Penn State Laureate will focus on further bridging the gap between the arts and community engagement, emphasizing inclusivity and accessibility. Her work with the For Good Troupe, alongside her contributions to disability-affirmative theater and dance, showcases her belief in the transformative power of the arts for individuals of all abilities.